early menopause? Has anyone been through this? how old were you?...

[hazeyjane]

and what were the first symptoms you noticed?

Thankyou

bumping for you as I was going to post something similar!

Thanks desperatehousewife, doesn't seem as though there is anyone else out there!

Do you mind me asking how old you are?

My last period was at age 44. From age 39 my periods got really heavy (this is due to ovarian failure). My periods were still pretty regular, maybe going from every 21 days to 21 - 35 days.

Then suddenly they just stopped. I had not thought I was going through meno, as I thought I was too young.

There is a really good websit - menopause matters that will give you loads of info.

I had hot flushes, night sweats etc from about age 39, but again thought it could not be meno as I was too young!!

Hi Hazeyjane, I'm 41.

Looking at a few previous threads and websites yesterday it does seem that (peri?) menopause quite commonly starts around 40.

Have not had a period yet this year. Think last one was mid-december.

No other obvious symptoms but looking at a list of loads of symptoms from a website, I could probably tick quite a few but there are plenty of other explanations for these other than menopause, iyswim.

For example, tiredness is one symptom. Now I am very tired but dd has been coming into our room every night since september so a full nights sleep seems a thing of the past. (Sticker bribery has started to work recently though, thank goodness).

What has been happening with you?

Desperate - I was tired too. Got my bloods checked etc and was menopausal, but also found to be diabetic too.

No wonder I felt like shit for my 40th birthday.

Can you control the diabetes with your diet?

Have you started any medication for the menopause? HRT?

Thankyou ladies.

I am 40, and haven't had a period since just after Christmas. I have been feeling knackered and just a bit 'out of sorts', lately. I put it down to the fact that I have 2 under 3, and like you Desperatehousewife, they take it in turns to sleep in with us, and are both terrible sleepers (dd2 wakes between 5 and 6 everye morning). I know I am in a bit of denial though because I had a molar pregnancy in2003, that required 2 types of chemotherapy to recover from, I was told at the time that this can cause menopause to occur 'slightly' early. I suppose I just was hoping it mighn't be this early.

Do you think it would be worth going to the doctors?

Well I keep thinking I should go just to check there is nothing else going on.

Have decided to make appt for the smear that I am overdue for and then will make appt with gp after that if no period by then.

Just need to get on and make the appt with the nurse but other things just get in the way!

Will phone tomorrow...

hello. Reading this with interest as I'm in a similar situation except am ttc again. I'm 41 and I have DD aged 4 and needed clomid to conceive her.

Last year think I had a total of 5 periods. Also have hot flushes, still fine energy levels

Have been to gynae and did blood tests. Showed hormone imbalance and am waiting for a period (!) so I can begin clomid. Consultant suggested my egg supply probably low and I may have to accept it could be onset of meno

I would say request hormones blood test from GP if you are concerned. It may help to put mind at rest

Fingers crossed for you, Clure.

We've got 2 dcs, so it would not really be the end of the world if I am starting the menopause.

It would just make me feel as though I'm getting old!

Just trying to get through to gp surgery now to make an appt with the nurse. It will be typical that once I do make an appt for the smear, my period will start and I'll have to cancel it.

OOh I've been wondering about this too.
I'm only 37 though but my af's have become irregular recently (used to be 30 days exactly, now anywhere between 19 days and 32). I'm also permanently tired, my bits feel uncomfortable a few days before I get af (kind of how I'd imagine thrush to feel but none of the other symptoms IYSWIM) and I'm much moodier than I sued to be. Been blaming the tiredness (and therefore the moodiness) on kids and work but can't think of a reason for the other symptoms.
These is no history of early menopause in my family, what about the rest of you sufferers?
Think I may go to GP for a blood test just to be sure. I had a smear just before all these symptoms started.

I've made an appointment for a smear, and to see doctor, to ask about early menopause.

I feel abit sick when i think about it, TBH. I never imagined I would be going through the menopause, when my girls were so little.

I guess it's better to wait until I find anything out for sure, but has anyone done anything woth diet change/supplements etc?

There was no family history of early menopause in my family. Before I got pregnant, I only used to have 1 period every year, so think I probably just have crap ovaries.

Managed to conceive naturally!!!Was about 15 weeks before I realised I was pregnant (was working as a mw too). Very red face when I realised I was preggers.

So anyone out there ttc, there is hope.

Thank you cheshirekitty - you have made my day!

What did I tell you?

The day, nay the hour, I am booked in for my overdue smear test..

Go to the loo at the sugery and lo and behold, my first period in months!

Had to cancel my appointment, explaining why (luckily no-one else in the waiting room to witness it).

Desperatehousewife, the same thing has just happened to me, I was supposed to have a dr's appointment yesterday, followed by a smear, but started my first peiod since Christmas - typical!

Hazeyjane, I had a molar pg about 11 years ago - it sounds like yours was more serious than mine, though

I am also having very irregular periods - varies between 25 and 50 days. And PMT. And night sweats. And it could go on for years.

BigTillymint, thankyou for sharing your symptoms, can I ask how old you are?

I was thinking about ringing Charing Cross (where I was treated for my mp), to ask them about the early menopause thing, but I think that they have people with more pressing problems than mine to deal with, IYKWIM!

Hazeyjane, how wierd is that?

Think I've used more sanitary stuff in last couple of days that I would have done had I been having regular periods. Like Niagara Falls, lol.

I'm hoping the 3months of pmt will calm down now

God i know what you mean, about Niagara Falls!

I think that everybody in my local area will give a huge sigh of relief that the stroppy, impatient woman, screaming/sobbing, in various parts of town has disappeared!

That makes me feel much better that it's not just me.

Luckily I've been able to stay close to home.

Off to theatre tomorrow so hoping it calms down a bit. Otherwise I'll miss Spongebob

Hope things have calmed down a bit, and you enjoyed the theatre.

Yes 'all calm' here {taps nose and nods head, knowingly}

Spongebob as crap as expected but dcs enjoyed it. Was a birthday treat for dd and she danced all the way through. Bless her!

Popcorn in 2nd half was highlight for me

Sorry clicked 'post' too soon.

Meant to ask how you are?

Might brave another nurse appointment now. So annoyed that I psyched myself up for the last one unecessarily.

I'm ok, but my pmt seemes to have turned into just mt, I've been a stroppy cow all day, and just have no patience with dd's (which makes me feel horrible). I have an appointment with dr on Weds so will ask him then about the early menopause. Will book my smear at the same time, have just worked out that last one I had was 2004!